[bhmarx289]

So...starter motor decides to go out on me the other day. I just wanted to get the car running and wasn't concerned about finding a good quality new one, just something that would work. Call the local auto parts store, they've got one they say will fit for 50 bucks plus core. When I turned in my old one, I made sure to compare the two, and everything looked the same.

Few days later when I've got time to try and put it in, I find that while the bolt holes line up and everything seems good, the hole in the scattershield is about 1/8 inch smaller in diameter than the corresponding flange on the face of the starter. I call the store, they've already shipped out my core and tell me that the new one i got should fit fine.

History on the car - It started life as a 1967 289 C-code with base 3-speed manual. I swapped in a 4 speed, but left the flywheel and bellhousing the same (i think. i was like 15 and my dad helped, I don't remember any other new parts needed. I definately don't remember changing starter motors back then) I don't think this should affect which starter I use at all.

Where I'm confused is that some places will tell me a ford manual starter is a ford manual starter for that era and will fit any car. Others tell me it depends on the flywheel, a 157 tooth or a 164 tooth (i may have hte numbers wrong there, regardless the point is there are two different possibilities.) And, this doesn't seem to relate to the hole in the scattershield being undersized.

My question is, has anyone else run into this? Or did I just get hosed by buying a cheapo starter that had really poor casting tolerances and just ended up oversized? Or is there some other variation in these cars that I've yet to be informed of?

Thanks for whatever clarification you can provide.

[krankieone]

I'm pretty sure auto and manual starters are diferent not sure about 3 & 4 speed manuals

[ixtlan]

As far as the starter gear it does not matter they are the same. There were a few bolt patterns that were different though. I dont remember anything about the flange hole being different though. Big question is does it work when installed?

[krankieone]

Sugestion . . .

take a piece of card and make a template of the mating surface on your scattershield(as if your making a gasket for it) take it and the starter that doesn't fit back to the store to see if they have one that does fit if not tell them to give your money back.

I wouldn't mind betting these guys were still in dypers when your stang was new and they know only what in their parts book

[gavinbr]

Hello,

I have just had the exact same problem! Its taken me three days to figute this out.

It appears that all the replacements are coming from Asia, China Taiwan etc., very cheap though! They think that they are all the same, wrong??

You are exactly right the scatter shield hole is smaller by at least 3/16" on my 1965 Mustang. The 1st one I purchased here in California was from Kragen Auto supply it was refurbished in China [$50 lifetime warranty]. The aluminium casting on the starter dog end did not have the ford stamping like my old one. However like you I took there advice and bought it.
Well I was not paying a lot of attention to the bolting up to the bell housing, and bingo the casting broke off at the bolt hole. I'm on my third starter now. The latest one I measured and made sure it was the same size as the lip that goes into the scatter shield and it now matches my old one.

You need a Micrometer or outside calipers to do this though.

My last starter motor was from Napa, 4 years ago. They now sell the ones made in China. They won't work either.
I eventually went to an electrical automotive repair shop were they had a lot of the older refurbished casting.

A very frustrating experience especially as they tell its the right one and you trying to get the bloody thing installed and it won't go in.

Good luck with yours


Brian

[jdstefan22]

Wow! What an ironic post. I am currently having the same issue with my 66, 3 sp manual. My starter went out of commission and I purchased a mini starter from PA Performance, and sure enough, I was not able to get it to seat in the hole properly, the casting is too big, just like the previous poster and yourself.

My trans is from a 67 Mustang 3 sp I found out recently, but the starter is the same for a 66 or 67, an 1881 model as it is known.

I contacted PA Performance, sent them pics showing the caliper measurements of the old starter and the one they sent me. The old starter was about maybe a 1/16 or maybe 1/8 smaller at the flange edge.

To PA Performances credit, they were right on the case. They took caliper measurements of the starter for the Automatic, the 1806 model, and sure enough, they have told me that the end casting for the 1806 starter will fit into the flywheel hole on my car. I took apart the starter and they are going to send me an end that has a smaller diameter to fit into the starter hole properly.

I am not sure where their castings are made, but obviously, this is a problem that is out there. I thought it was just my car, now we know, it isnt the car, it is the parts. Luckily, the vendor is doing the right thing and trying to make it right in my case.

[Irishking]

What a sad testament to the state of new car parts today. Hopefully they make better fitting bike parts.

[greg_true]

I don't expcect much in replies here because mine is an 84 with a 4 cyl+carb/4spd manual. You all pretty much got the beauties.
Bought it and it started with the loudest cranking any vehicle ever owned (10 cars & trucks and counting). I do all my own work except transmissions.
After 6 weeks of hard starts the starter spins but doesn't engage - ziiiing - ziiiing! The previous owners installed rebuilt starter, new starter relay, new cables and new battery - parts were still clean and shiny when I got it.
Pull starter and the bendix gear is chewed up and the end is real loose with the bushing worn. Took a file and knocked off burrs on flywheel. Got the next rebuilt starter. It worked okay for 3 days but again with the loudest cranking and then the starter spins but doesn't engage - ziiiing - ziiiing! The bendix gear again chewed up.
Now going to install next starter which after examined at parts store looked a little different. I hope I am not getting this same trouble of poor quality imports. I at first though this was a wrong fit but parts store says all the Ford 4 cyls. take the same starter.
Will report back later.

[greg_true]

Happy to report that today this one doesn't make so much noise. Will report back in about 2 weeks or sooner if failure occurs again.

[greg_true]

Well--- Today this starter is acting up. I went to a shop to have the lube in rear-end checked and grease u-joints if needed. Tech there said it sounds like the starter is falling off when he started it. Its making the ziiing - ziiing noise now. Two techs gave me a push-start to get home.

Techs also found one nut missing and other 3 loose at front pinion mount of u-joint.

Guess I'll be going back for another warrantied replacement starter and hope for a good'n. My neighbor says he thinks I did good by filing the burrs off the flywheel but thinks it maybe bent from all the bendix gear banging against it when it was not engaging properly.

Any experiences or thoughts to share anybody?

[jorgeez]

Thank goodness I've stumbled upon this thread. I am experiencing the exact same problem with my starter. I'll try your suggestions.

__________________
performance parts

[jorgeez]

Thank goodness I've stumbled upon this thread. I am experiencing the exact same problem with my starter. I'll try your suggestions.

__________________
performance parts

[greg_true]

I probably shouldn't have picked up an oldie thread and expect anything.
I am taking this to 2.3 forum now that I am getting to see how this works?
Do I need to donate before I get help?